Social aspects of working in underground spaces. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Eun Hee; Christopoulos, George I.; Lu, Ming; Heo, Min Quan; Soh, Chee-Kiong
• Is Part Of: Tunnelling and underground space technology. Volume 55(2016)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 145
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: Underground -- Social behavior -- Attitudes -- Perceived control -- Identity -- Criminal behavior -- Architecture; Tunneling -- Periodicals; Underground construction -- Periodicals; Tunnels -- Periodicals; Underground areas -- Periodicals; 624.193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tust.2015.12.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-7798

Abstract

Highlights: Attitudes toward underground influence the adoption of underground spaces. We review literature describing the mental conceptions about underground spaces. We examine the effect of architectural attributes on social behavior. We end up by summarizing future questions that are still open. Abstract: With growing population in urban areas, the problem of lacking space is becoming more prominent. Thus, the development of underground space has increasingly gained attention as a viable solution. Social aspects, such as social behavior and attitudes toward underground spaces could act as both facilitators and inhibitors toward the adoption of underground spaces. Here we review, present and discuss the major social parameters associated with working in underground spaces. Our research overview identified three major themes that pervade existing literature: attitudes and perception; social behavior; and the impact of environmental attributes of underground spaces. Yet, we also notice that the social and cultural elements associated with underground spaces have remained largely unexplored, with previous research being of more of a qualitative character and, to some extent, outdated. We thus subsequently identified the major unexplored themes and present an organized, systematic research program for a more holistic and quantifiable understanding of the interaction between social behavior and underground spaces. We end by discussing how this research program can be integrated with other disciplines, including engineering, design and health.